Jeong Eun-kyung: "32 to 36 million priority vaccine recipients... Herd immunity by November" (Comprehensive)

Review of Free Vaccination Implementation Fees... Additional Procurement Beyond 56 Million Doses Underway

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The government announced that it has designated 32 to 36 million people as priority recipients for the COVID-19 vaccine and is establishing a vaccination plan with the goal of achieving herd immunity by November.

Additionally, regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, the government is considering providing the vaccine free of charge to all citizens, as well as covering the vaccination administration costs at no charge.

At a regular briefing on the 11th, Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated about the nationwide free COVID-19 vaccination, "The vaccine itself will be provided free of charge, and we are also reviewing making the vaccination administration costs free. We have been continuously discussing the scope of free vaccination and funding among ministries, and we are preparing detailed implementation plans to offer free vaccination to as many people as possible."

Regarding the timing for the entire population to achieve herd immunity, it is expected to be around November, somewhat later than the initially announced third quarter.

Director Jung said, "Since the COVID-19 preventive vaccine requires two doses administered 21 or 28 days apart, and it takes about 2 to 3 weeks after vaccination for immunity to develop, considering these factors, we aim to reach herd immunity levels by around November."

Correctional Facility Inmates Included in Priority Vaccination Recommendations
No Consideration for Priority MMR Vaccination... "Lack of Scientific Evidence"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, the recommended priority groups for vaccination include healthcare workers, residents and staff of group facilities, seniors aged 65 and older, adults with chronic diseases, staff and employees of educational and childcare facilities for children and adolescents, first responders to COVID-19, adults aged 50 to 64, police officers, firefighters, military personnel, and inmates and staff of correctional facilities and treatment detention centers.

Vaccinations will be conducted through two tracks. Director Jung explained, "One is by designating entrusted medical institutions," adding, "This is similar to the method used previously for influenza vaccinations, where vaccination institutions are designated to carry out the vaccinations." She further explained, "Separately, vaccination centers will be established to conduct vaccinations, so we are preparing to implement vaccinations through these two parallel methods."

Regarding the start of vaccinations in February, Director Jung said, "We plan to begin vaccinations with the AstraZeneca vaccine," noting, "There is still some uncertainty about the types and timing of products provided through COVAX, so there may be changes. Additionally, negotiations are ongoing with other manufacturers to advance supply schedules, so some variables remain."

She also mentioned that additional vaccine procurement is under consideration beyond the 56 million doses already secured.

Director Jung stated, "The currently contracted amount is 56 million doses, which exceeds 100% of the total population. Excluding adolescents who are not yet eligible for approval, this corresponds to about 120% of the 44 million eligible population. However, due to uncertainties regarding immunity duration, additional doses, and approval issues for contracted vaccines, we are continuing to negotiate with individual manufacturers to secure additional stable vaccine supplies."

Regarding some opinions advocating for priority vaccination with the MMR vaccine, which is used to prevent measles and other diseases, she dismissed the idea, saying, "Although there are reports published in papers suggesting that the MMR vaccine may reduce COVID-19 infection or severity, no clinical trials have been conducted. Therefore, it is not scientifically sufficient to replace the COVID-19 vaccine with the MMR vaccine alone."

She added, "Especially last year, vaccine development was highly uncertain, but now vaccines that have been approved and proven effective are being introduced, so it is more desirable to receive the COVID-19 vaccines whose effectiveness has been clearly demonstrated."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.